General News
13 October, 2022
EVs power on at Maldon
The Maldon Hospital has been kitted out with three new electric vehicles as Dhelkaya Health accelerates its take up of zero emission vehicles. The three Hyundai Kona Electric models will be used by nurses, staff and hospital volunteers to visit and...
The Maldon Hospital has been kitted out with three new electric vehicles as Dhelkaya Health accelerates its take up of zero emission vehicles.
The three Hyundai Kona Electric models will be used by nurses, staff and hospital volunteers to visit and transport patients in the community and for travel to meetings, with charging facilities also installed at the Maldon Hospital.
Replacing existing petrol and diesel vehicles, the new electric vehicles have a 480 kilometre range which will enable staff to make long trips for outpatient work or meetings without the need to charge on the way.
Dhelkaya Health general manager and director of nursing Shannon Uren said the vehicles would make a difference for staff.
“Maldon Hospital is a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals alliance so we’ve already got a heap of strategies and projects in place in terms of waste management, composting and we have solar panels,” she said.
“These electric vehicles mean we’re certainly reducing our impact on the environment.
“The district nurses have been waiting for a new car for quite a while and they’re finding the new Kona brilliant.”
The acquisition of the three new vehicles comes as part of the State Government’s $15 million fleet conversion, which aims to add 400 electric vehicles and associated charging stations over two years.
Under the government’s $100 million electric vehicle roadmap, more than 5000 Victorians have taken up subsidies of $3000 on the purchase of eligible electric vehicles, with 2021 sales jumping 310 percent.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the new cars would be used regularly by staff.
“Delkhaya Health is leading the charge here in Bendigo West with the replacement of three of their vehicles with these three EVs,” she said.
“Maldon Hospital is a vital part of the community and we’re proud to support the hospital’s staff and programs with this initiative.
“The cars will be used by staff to visit outpatients, for the executive to take home overnight and for general purpose use such as attending meetings so these vehicles will have multiple uses and between staff, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to get in the car.”